My Son Was Doing Fentanyl at 16… I Had to Let Him Go to Save His Life

My Son Was Doing Fentanyl at 16… I Had to Let Him Go to Save His Life

From Rise Above with Kevin Lanning by Kevin Lanning

April 13, 2026 · 1h 23m

About this episode

Brenda Zane shares her experience of her son's addiction and the difficult choices she made to help him.

Brenda Zane was a successful advertising executive living what looked like a normal life—until her son’s addiction turned everything upside down. From early warning signs to marijuana at 13… to running away, arrests, and eventually fentanyl use—this is the raw, unfiltered reality of what families go through when addiction takes over. In this episode, Brenda shares: The moment she realized her son was in real danger Sending him to wilderness therapy at 16 The chaos of addiction—jail, running away, and near-death experiences The heartbreak of setting boundaries and “letting go” How she turned her pain into purpose to help other parents This conversation is for anyone who has loved someone struggling with addiction—or is trying to understand what families go through behind the scenes. If you or someone you love is struggling, you are not alone. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction or mental health, you don’t have to do it alone. Reach out to my partners at Compassion Behavioral Health. They offer individualized care and a full continuum of treatment. Call or Text: 844-443-5669 Visit: https…

People in this episode

Host: Kevin Lanning

Guest: Brenda Zane

Topics covered

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Sponsors

Compassion Behavioral Health

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